Deputy Opposition leader, Sam Basil challenged the National Government to support the agriculture sector.
Basil said removing the uncooked poultry ban will lower the price of poultry products but this could affect local producers with many Papua New Guineans losing their job.
“The sad news is that local poultry producers like of Zenag Chicken, Niugini Tablebirds and other small producers will suffer from the sudden influx of cheaper imported products cutting back on sales output and profit margins which means job cuts and loss of income.
“The National Government through the office of Agriculture & Livestock must strike a balance to ensure local producers maintain their current production whilst being competitive against cheaper imports.
“The Government should encourage the agriculture and livestock sector, more particularly poultry industry by making “zero import duty” on tariff on veterinary supplies, farm implements such as water and feeding troughs, building sheds, tractors and feedstocks,” Basil said.
“The agriculture sector in Papua New Guinea contributes over K2.5 billion to the national revenue and reaches K150 million annually, said Minister for Agriculture and Livestock,” Tommy Tomscoll.
He said this yesterday at the ‘2016 Agriculture Leaders’ Summit’ in Port Moresby.